Improvement in tuck markers and greasers for sewing-machines



J. T. STERRETT.. Tuck-MARKERS ANnicnEAsEns For. SEWINGMAHIES. N.18-3,338. Pmnea'oct-17. 187e.

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N- PETERS, PHoro UNTTED STATES PATENT ET-Tc,

JAMES T. STEEEETT, or CARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN TUCK MARKERS AND CREASERS FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 183,338, dated October 17, 1876; application filed Septemberl, 1876.

ence being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My improvements have for their object the I rendering of tuck-markers more efficient and reliable than as heretofore constructed, and also the better adapting them for readily indi` eating and accurately determining the precise width of tuck desired, and the precise width of space desired between the tucks.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective of a tuck-marker embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 shows the marking devices detached from their supporting-plate. Fig. 3 is a top view, the sprin g-lever being broken away and Fig. 4 illustrates a chart adapted to be used in connection with my improvements.

Ais the foundation or bed plate, and to which the other parts are applied, as hereinafter stated; and it is provided with a series of holes, b c d e, so positioned that by means of a setscrew it may be secured to the cloth-plate of the principal varieties of Sewing-machines in the market, and held in proper position relatively to the needle, so 4that a given point, x, predetermined as the zero-point of the scales, shall always be opposite the needle hole or d throat of the sewing-machine. This zero point w I make plainly visible to the operator, either by tlie zero mark, or by a defined mark or line, or by a projection or point. From this zero-point are marked off two graduated scales, (designated at j' and g,) one being at one side and the other at the opposite side of such zero 0r common starting-point-the scale f for the cloth-guide H, andthe scale g for the marker or creaser devices IJ, one of the arms of which acts as a cloth-smoother. rIhe cloth-guide H is adjustable on the plate by means of its slot k and thumb or set screw l, and the marking and creaser devices are either formed of a single doubled piece, or united into one piece,

and, by means of their slot m and set-screw o, arejointly and coincideutly adjustable, so that their indenting or marking partsp g shall always be in true relation to each other under all adjustments, neither shifting away from or beyond the other when moved to a new position. The spring arm R (which, in a manner well known, actuates the creaser when the needle-arm of the machine makes its descent) is not allowed any adjustment in the direction of its length, but, on the contrary, is at one end permanently secured, as shown, to the plate A. This is very important, inasmuch as the distance from the fulcrum or point of attachment to the point where the power of the needle-bar is applied to operate it remains always the same, and,consequently, the same uniform amount of resistance is always offered to the descending needle, whereas in creasers where this spring-lever is attached Ato the movable creaser plate or bar, or to any shifting piece, its leverage shortens materially when moved toward the needle to make a wide tuck,

and too much power of the needle-bar is demanded, tending to make the work of the machine irregular, to check the easy descent of the needle to its lowest point, and to strain other parts ot' the driving mechanism; and as the needle should descend uniformly to the same point, it is evident that when the fulcrum or coil of the spring-arm is brought near to the path of the needle, the tendency is, when the needle descends, not only to cause the markers to pinch the fabric too closely, but also to unduly strainor break the spring.

It will be observed that the pieceI J, the upper or lever part of which passes through an opening in the straight edge or guide s of the gage or guide H, is so applied as to be capable of all the requisite adjustments of its position, entirely independent of and without any need of disturbing either the bed-plate A, the spring bar or arm R, or the gage H, and that the proper relations of these last-named parts relatively to the needle and to each other may remain tixed until a change may be required.

The chart (see Fig. is used in connection with my improvement as follows: The tucking attachment being properly applied to the sewing-machine, with the zero-point (common to both the scales above named) opposite `the needle-hole, and it being required to adjust the gage and the creaser for a given width of tuck, and a given space between two ad'acent tucks,referenceis first made t0 the chart, which indicates, by the quadrangles t, the length ot'l tucks, and by the blank space u between suoli qnadrangles the length ot' space between such two adjacent tucks. Choice is then made from this chart (which may include within its range all the varieties likely to be wanted in practice) of the size of tuck needed, and the creaser is then setto the figure on its scale corresponding to the gure designated therefor on the chart.` The gage is then set to the'iigure on its scale, but to the opposite side of its zeropoint, corresponding to thekgure designated therefor on the chart, and in the same manner for any other size of 'tuck or untucked space on the fabric. For instance, if size 11 be chosen, set the creaser ot' the tucker atthe figure l2, and set the gage at figure 5. This mode permits exact and positive relative adjustments, as Well as the specific adjustments, andsaves much time, While avoiding inaccurate or guess-work adjustments, requiring subsequent corrections.

The creaser-scale may, in some cases, if desired, be placed directly on the creaser-arm,

instead of on the bed-plate A.

I claiml. In combination with the bed-plate of a tuck-marker, provided Wit-h a scale orscales havingmeasurements in both directions from a common zeropoint,lplates H I, each separately, adjustable on the bed-plate, as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination, with the bed-plate A, having the spring-arm R attached thereto, of the spring-plate I J, carrying the marking devicesfand the gage H, the plate I J and gage H being independently adjustable on said bed-plate, whereby the width ofthe tuck and the space between the tucks may be regulated without changing the position of the bedplate or of the arrn R, as and for the purposes set forth.

JAMES T. STERRETT. Witnesses:

THEOPHILUS L. NEFF,

T. A. CoNLYN. 

